Making mistakes

[BM-GS]

We all make them. I made a good one today, I was in no rush to got anywhere, but managed to sail through a red light at a junction I must have been through a hundred times. I managed to not hit anyone, more by luck than judgement, but Mr Red VFR followed me to my nearby destination to ask me what I was thinking (nothing relevant at the time, obviously) and to tell me to try harder. I will. Sorry Mr VFR.

Apart from the fact I was in my cage today (happens a lot now, as Mrs GS has the bike to get into the city) and I could have killed Mr VFR had I come along 2 seconds later, and I could have killed myself and #2 son had I been 2 secs later and Mr VFR been Mr Mack/Hino/etc instead.

I'm the same person I was yesterday and last week, who gets pissed off with other people being stupid on the roads. Hopefully my driving since then has been up to scratch (and calling in the oil spill on Tristram/Forrest Hill to NSCC Actionline).

Am I being dulled by too much time in the car? Are cars bad for your road-sense?

We all do stupid things occasionally (forget to indicate at junctions forcing people to stop for no reason, attempt dodgy overtakes, etc. Fortunately in 24 years of using powered transport I've managed to not damage anyone/thing else (except once, no people damage) by being stupid. This was my first illegal stupid thing, but I hope my luck holds out. Better not to rely on luck though, eh?

Near-misses seem to have become less frequent now that I'm getting to be an old duffer than when I was younger, and I suspect that it's not all down to everyone else getting better. Watch out for regression!

Trying harder,

[vgcspares]

I kinda think it has something to do with modern cages - they're so over-capable for the speeds they're allowed to do that the senses don't get any exercise

the same argument could apply to bikes except we have to maintain our balance, which at least keeps your body (if not your brain) from switching off

[mrchips]

Which is why you should have a loud exhaust, the louder the better + a cranked up stereo.

[Burtha]

I think its just a laps in judgement, and unfortunately they are the times that catch us out and accidents do happen. But at least being aware has made you go on the re-think again so stay alert, its good for ye health!

[Kinje]

Good on ya for admitting your mistake, I hope you learn from it.

It's also not much fun being the driver of either the smaller VFR (we've all been there or close to it ), or the larger Mack/Hino in your example.

I had the displeasure of nearly destroying a cyclist who was, either suicidal or had some sort of failure the other night. For those in Wellington- the intersection of Taranaki St and Bidwell St. I merrily drove (in car) along Taranki and approached the intersection (green light- not even recently changed) when the suicidal cyclist playing russian roulette came down the hill and through in front of me. Thankfully the car stopped very quickly. That got the heart pumping and the blood boiling.

Like the OP example, seconds earlier and I would have a cycle shaped hole in the side of my car and a messed up cyclist on the road!

[BM-GS]

Yeah, as part of my riding experience I've figured that a near-miss every now & again reminds one that one is not immortal and to stop doing stupid things. "Try harder", as the man said.

The near-misses have far more effect that the cops (1 speeding ticket in 1992), the cameras (no tickets)and motorists (indignant, but otherwise well out of the action) (several dozen over the years) who have objected to any manouevre I may have made (til today, probably because I realised that I hadn't even noticed the red light and started to question my suitability as a vehicle operator - tho perhaps not as much as Mr VFR).

I haven't had an off in a while, but then I get anxious as I know it's coming! Near misses have become rare, fortunately. Maybe I'm getting old?

[Weta]

Did you nearly hit Mr VFR or scare him? He must have been pretty indignant to follow you to your destination. If I followed and berated wvery mother motorist that I observed doing something daft I'd have to give up my day job.
I dunno but smacks a little of vigilante to me. You probably knew you screwed up without Vfr telling you.

[Taz]

No excuse for running the red light......

[BM-GS]

I think I was far enough in front not to have troubled Mr VFR physically, though it's never nice to have some numpty sail through a light in front of you. Fair do's to the bloke, I would never have seen him because of a right-turning (waiting for green) van and 2 secs would have made a big difference to both our days. He wasn't obviously angry, and I had spotted him when he came out as I checked the mirror when I figured something wasn't quite right. He was being a bit cautious as to where I was going so that he didn't get into anything he wasn't expecting...

As the man said, no excuses for running a red light. Just lack of due care & attention (allegedly).

[DarkLord]

Well done for admitting your mistake. It's so easy to point fingers at everyone else rather than taking any responsibility for yourself.

The odd scare can be a good wake up call, and it's good to see you've handled it in the right way.

Ride/drive safe!

DL

[HenryDorsetCase]

Am I being dulled by too much time in the car? Are cars bad for your road-sense?

yes, and yes.

[Skyryder]

Mistakes?? We do indeed. Going thru a red light. Some would argue that this is more of a sucide wish.

Take care ol' son. Red lights use up the whole 8 lives in one go.



Skyryder

[Blackshear]

Almost went through a red light today myself :whoa:
Was about 2 seconds from crossing that white line and went into a skidding front wheel frenzy
Scared the crap outta me.

Momentary lapses of concentration are bad. Especially since you can't really tell!

[varminter]

So, you went through a red light. Come to Rotovagas, no one will notice. Oh yes, we all have brain farts, as I told myself the other week after I filled the work van with 91.....pity it runs on diesel. Glad no one was hurt though.

[YellowDog]

Well I can empathise with this situation. When I drive to work I drive on autopilot and in a morning haze. The radio is on and the effort of driving is just one of manythings going on in my mind. All you have to do is follow the line and stop when the lights are red!

When I ride my bike to work, I am totally focussed on my riding with full consideration to everything around me.

The fact that in both stuations I am making a journey to work is precsiely where the comparison ends